Duration
15 days / 15 nights
Days of riding
7 days total
Difficulty
Moderate/Challenging
Price
Per person – £2495
Dates
9th to 25th July 2026 (includes Naadam 11th + 12th July)
Other dates can still be requested
Introduction
One of the greenest and most beautiful Mongolian provinces. Khovsgol is a natural paradise where the rolling steppes of the Mongolian plain meet the dense forests and tall mountains of Eastern Russia. The dazzling freshwater lakes, stunning unspoiled wilderness and nomadic reindeer herders that Khovsgol is known for make it a must-see destination for just about anyone.
Itinerary
24 hours before the trip. Airport transfer is included on this day.
Day 1. Leave UB and drive to the extinct volcano Uran Tagoo to stay in a traditional Ger camp.
Day 2. Optional hike to the summit of Uran Togoo in the morning. Then continue driving to Khatgal village on the shores of Lake Khovsgol.
Day 3. Saddle up and ride on horseback along the beautiful shores of Lake Khovsgol with our local nomadic guides.
Day 4-6. In stunning, unspoilt wilderness, we leave the Lake behind and ride through the remote mountain passes and follow the rivers and smaller lakes of Khovsgol’s National Park.
Day 7. A half day ride or rest days as we take the roughly 10km ride or drive to a remote village to meet a local filmmaker.
Day 8-9. Back in the saddle to ride from the village into the mountains where the Tsaatan reindeer tribe live.
Day 10. Spend the day with the Tsaatan reindeer herders. Learn about their shamanic history and unique way of life. If you are up for it learn how to milk and even ride reindeer key skills to survival in this remote mountain region.
Day 11-12. Return from the mountain tribe on horse back and meet the vehicles so they can drive us to a beautiful remote valley where we will camp for the night.
Day 13. Breathtaking veiws as we take the scneic route back to Khatgal through the mountains of Khovsgol National Park.
Day 14-15. We return to Ulaanbaatar via Erdenet, where we can have a final meal together and celebrate our wonderful adventure.
24 hours after the trip. Our guides or drivers will be available to help you with airport transfers, travel or staying on in Mongolia. We wish you a safe onward journey. Thank you for travelling with us.
Naadam extra
9th to 25th July 2026 (includes Naadam 11th + 12th July)
Naadam will start on day 4 (11th July) of your tour and finish on day 5 (12th July). We will attend both days in Murun city. This will make your total tour 18 days instead of 16 days. This is the only change to the trip; everything else is the same as the standard trip.
11th July – Opening ceremony welcoming the competitors and visitors. The first competition begins with archery and wrestling. Horse racing will be scheduled later in the day outside the city. take in the sights and visit the many market stalls and activities that surround the stadiums.
12th July – Marvel at the speed and skill during the finals of horse racing, archery and wrestling matches. Find out more about knuckle bones competitions, Naadams 4th unofficial sport. Followed by the awards and closing ceremony.
Price per person – £2495
(£2795 for Naadam dates)
Full Itinerary
Ancient Volcanoes
Day 0. Your guide will pick you up from Ulaanbaatar airport or train station and transfer you to the hotel so you can check in and relax before the tour starts tomorrow morning.
Day 1. We take the road North to the Uran and Tulga National Park and stay at a traditional Ger camp next to Uran Togoo extinct volcano. The drive will take most of the day, but the road is paved, and we can enjoy the impressive Mongolian scenery and make frequent stops along the way. For most, it will be your first taste of the vast landscapes and infinite horizons Mongolia is known for. Giving you a sense of just how immense this country is.
Day 2. In the morning, you have the option to take the 2-3-hour, moderate to challenging hike to the top of the Uran Togoo extinct volcano. The volcanoes hold spiritual significance to local shamans, and it is tradition to walk clockwise around the ring-summit. Enjoy the spectacular views of the surrounding landscape before we complete the final leg of our drive North to Khatgal village on the shores of Lake Khovsgol.
Sleeping: Hotel/ger Camp Meals: Restaurants
Horse trekking by Lake Khovsgol
Day 3. Today is our first day of riding, and what a way to start. The whole day will be spent riding along the picturesque western shores of Lake Khovsgol. The terrain is varied with a patchwork of open wild flower meadows, leading into sparse green woodlands and many small river crossings along the way. We won’t stray too far from the lake during this ride, and it‘s the perfect day to take it slow, get used to your horse and settle into the rhythm of the trip. In the evening, we will choose a suitable place to camp close to the lake. Here you can swim and enjoy the crystal clear turquoise water that has earned Khosgol Lake the name Blue Pearl of Asia.
As the night descends, we will light a fire so we can sit and tell stories. On clear nights, you will be treated to the most amazing night sky, as there is almost no light pollution here. So little that it is often possible to see the Milky Way and all of its colours reflecting off the still, mirror-like water of the lake. It is a truly magical place to be and a great place to have our first wild camp.
Sleeping: Wild camping Meals: Cooked on fire
Horse trekking in the mountains
Day 4. From the lake through the mountains. Our journey takes us away from the shores of the lake, meandering through mountain passes and into lush green valleys with fresh flowing streams and tall trees. These ancient paths have been travelled for generations and you will feel the excitement of adventure stirring.
Day 5. Exploring peaceful river valleys. The terrain opens up into wider valleys with rolling mountains all around. It’s a day for taking in the majestic beauty and tranquillity of this natural and unchanging landscape.
Day 6. Riding onto the plains of a wide mountain plateau. As we descend from the mountains into a vast grassland, it is a change of terrain from the previous days. The landscape here is more what you would typically expect from Mongolia. Gers of local nomads and livestock are scattered throughout the landscape, and there are few trees. The open space gives us the option to let loose the reins a bit more and enjoy the flat terrain. As we continue our ride across this plateau, you will notice the tall mountains rising in every direction. From these mountains, many rivers flow, creating 100s of lakes big and small in the landscape. It is on the largest of these lakes, “The White Lake” that we will set up camp.
Sleeping: Wild camping then homestay Meals: Cooked on fire
The Tsataan Reindeer Herders
Day 7. Today, we will take a break from horse riding so that we and the horses have a chance to recover before heading into the mountains near the Russian border where the Tsaatan tribes live. We will have a relaxed morning by the lake and set off late to the a nearby village on the eastern side of the lake where we will meet a local film-maker and stay at his house. If the horses are not too tired there is the option to join the nomadic herds for the roughly 10km ride into town or you can jump in one of the support vehicles. At the village you will have some time to explore this rural community before we are treated to an exlusive film made by our host back in the 80s documenting the lives of the Tsaaatan tribe. The equipment used to make the film is very retro and something about the film and this rural community feels like going back in time.
Day 8. Heading North from the village we will resume horse riding to the Tsaatan. Our route will follow one of the many rivers that flow into The White Lake. The terrain is still open but more and more hills will appear with tree covered slopes. We will ride as far as the vehicles can go and set up camp. From this point onwards we will not have the vehicles for support so we will have to use pack animals to carry our equipment.
Day 9. The path to an ancient tribe. To reach the Tsataan, we will must meet with one of the herders at the foot of the mountains. He will lead us on horseback up the mountain and to the Tsataan’s camp. The tribes move often between the various high valleys in these mountains, so our route will change slightly year on year but the ride is always roughly 20 to 30km in total.
Day 10. In Khovsgol’s high mountain valleys, the Darkhad people, or Tsaatan, meaning reindeer herders in Mongolian, are believed to practice the oldest form of shamanism on Earth. They are skilled craftspeople and often trade with the local villages. Today, the Tsaatan will teach us about their unique way of life including showing us how to milk and ride a reindeer if you are willing to learn. The high mountains are too cold for horses in the winter, so the Tsataan train their reindeer to be ridden and to transport their teepee style tents, which we will be staying in during our visit.
Sleeping: Homestays and tepees Meals: Cooked by hosts on the fire
Return through the Mountains
Day 11. Say goodbye to the Tsaatan people as we mount our horses and return down the mountain to meet the vehicles. As we descend the mountain, the views of the valley and surrounding mountains are spectacular. This will be our last day of riding on this trip, so at the end of the day, we will celebrate and say goodbye to our horses and nomadic friends.
Day 12. Taking the scenic route. On our return journey to Khatgal, we take the opportunity to explore more of Khovsgol’s speculator scenery by taking the off-road vehicle routes through the mountains. The wildflower meadows here are a sea of colour and the landscape is like something out of a dream. Its the perfect place to take some incredible photos and go for a pleasant stroll with your fellow travellers as we pick out the perfect place to camp for the night.
Day 13. High mountain passes and spectacular views. As we navigate the high passes there are spectacular views of the valleys below. We are in no rush and you have the opportunity to stop and take short walks whilst enjoying the beautiful scenery before returning to Khatgal and picking up the paved road back to UB.
Day 14/15 The journey home. After such an incredible adventure to some beautiful remote places it is time to return to Ulaanbaatar. From Khatgal it is a 12.5 hour drive on paved roads and we will split this over two days, allowing us to enjoy our last few days in the country. Once back in Ulaanbaatar you have time to relax at our guesthouse or your hotel before meeting that evening in one of the capital’s bustling restaurants to celebrate our incredible journey together. Thank you for coming.
24 hours after the trip. We have nothing planned for today, but we will be available to provide airport transfers as well as help and information with onward travel and staying longer in Mongolia should you need it.
Sleeping: Wild camping, ger camps and hotels Meals: On the fire and in restaurants
Naadam extra
The most important festival in the Mongol calendar, Naadam, is a celebration of Mongolian traditions and history. The whole country breaks into celebration with parades, singing and sporting competitions. The festival dates back centuries and has its roots in wedding ceremonies and military training as Mongolians compete in the 3 Manly sports: wrestling, archery and horse riding.
Naadam is held during the most pleasant month of the year, July, and nomadic people from every corner of Mongolia meet up to celebrate this festival. The biggest celebration is in the capital Ulaanbaatar (UB), but its popularity with tourist and UB’s congested streets make it difficult to attend the whole event. We will be instead spending Naadam in the provincial capital of Khovsgol, Murun city so we can have the full experience.
11th July. Naadam begins with an elaborate opening ceremony featuring various horse riding displays, an introduction to the athletes, as well as music and parades. Everyone will be in their best outfits, and the city becomes a burst of colour and merriment. After the ceremony, the competitions begin. Both Wrestling and archery will be happening in the city in the wrestling and archery stadiums. Around the stadiums, there will be many market stalls to buy souvenirs or relax and take in the atmosphere with a drink or some food. Horse racing will be happening on the outskirts of the city. The racing is split by horse age, and it is a single long-distance race to win. The youngest horses are 2 years old and race approximately 10km. Older horses and the stallion category race up to 27km.
12th July. Marvel at the speed of the horses at the horse racing and the skill of the competitors during the finals of the archery and wrestling competitions. Today, we will immerse ourselves further in the Naadam celebrations and, if we have not yet done so, explore some of the more fringe activities during Naadam, including Naadam’s 4th unofficial sport, Knuckbones. The day finishes with the awards ceremony and us returning to our guesthouse to continue our adventure in the morning.
Sleeping: Guest houses and hotels Meals: By our cooks / in market restaurants
Tour Details
Wild camping: We will be spending a lot of time in remote areas during this tour and for most of the trekking sections we will be wild camping. Wild camping is one of the top reasons to visit Mongolia as it is completely free to roam meaning we can pitch our tents anywhere and pick only the best places to stay. There is also almost no light pollution, very little cloud cover and most of the country is at over 1500m which makes Mongolia one of the best locations on earth for stargazing. While wild camping food will be cooked for you by our chef on the campfire. The campfire will be kept lit into the night for you to stay up and see the stars or tell stories with your fellow travellers. Tents are provided but please bring your own sleeping bags or roll mats.
Washing and water: Modern washing facilities in the Mongolian countryside can be limited therefore we opt for a more traditional style. In most cases, water is available from rivers and lakes for washing. This water can be heated up on the fire for basic body and clothes washing or you can go for a swim. If you do swim we ask that you don’t use any products as they can change the chemical make-up of the waterway. If you are using water collected from rivers please check the label and bring soaps and detergents that are natural and biodegradable. Many of Mongolia’s rivers and lakes are so clean they are considered safe to drink by UK standards without treatment, so we would like to keep it that way. For travellers, we supply bottled water and despite the access to mostly clean water we recommend filtering or boiling any water you drink from waterways for at least 1 minute before you drink it. We cannot guarantee it is safe without testing and we don’t want anyone to get sick.
Temperatures and Weather: Mongolia is known as “The Land of Blue Sky” due to its low annual rainfall and its affinity for beautifully blue cloudless skies. The weather can change quickly however and the summer months of June, July and August do see more rainfall so we still recommend waterproofs as we will be spending a lot of time outdoors. More often than not the weather is glorious but best be prepared. Daytime temperatures during the summer range between 20℃ and 30℃ but the nights can get cold and they can range as much as 5℃ to 20℃. The lower temperatures tend to occur early (May-June) and late in the season (August-September) and altitude is a factor. We recommend bringing a four-seasons sleeping bag and roll mat with you in case the nights do get chilly. We often bring extra bedding for anyone who does get cold but please do not rely on this.
Horse Riding: The riding terrain on this tour is extremely varied and exciting starting in the gentle foothills by the shores of the lake with the open meadows and then heading into the mountains following streams and riding amongst the trees. Riding experience is not necessary. A sense of adventure and a can-do attitude is all you need. Our local nomadic guides are expert horse handlers and have a wealth of knowledge to keep you safe during the ride and instruct you on your riding style. If you tire of riding we have a support vehicle on hand which will carry all our equipment and pick you up should you require it. We aim to ride for about 6 hours a day and cover about 20-30km which may sound like a lot but is easily achievable even for beginners at a horses walking pace. For more experienced riders there is plenty of opportunity to explore the surrounding wilderness and we always hire some extra local guides so you can break off and feel the wind in your hair if you choose.
If you would like to know more about this tour please give us a call. We are always happy to answer your questions.
Nature ♦♦♦♦♦
Culture and people ♦♦♦♦◊
Adventure ♦♦♦♦♦
Includes:
Hotel guest house in Ulaanbaatar
Overnights in Gers and tents
Three meal a day
English speaking guide
Support staff
Permits
All activities
Excludes:
International flight
Domestic flights
Travel insurance
Sleeping bag
Role mat